This is a continuation of exploring various rocks, minerals and gemstones, both precious and semiprecious, found in the U.S.A.

We previously talked about semiprecious stones, and you can see that blog by clicking here, but some of those semiprecious stones are so popular or so prolific that they need their own blog!

For all previous blogs click on my blog link in the upper right.

Probably one of the most well-known semiprecious stones is Turquoise. In fact, when I explain to non-rock people what we do, Turquoise is always the example I use to help them understand that we sell gemstones; but not diamonds, rubies, or emeralds!

Turquoise is a hydrated aluminum copper phosphate that often contains iron.

Turquoise occurs naturally in shades ranging from sky blue to grey-green, usually in locations where copper is hidden in the soil in high concentrations. The blue color is caused by copper, while the green color is caused by iron or chromium.

Turquoise occurs primarily in the southwest United States in the copper belt. Much of the Turquoise found is very chalky or pale. Turquoise almost always needs to be treated in some way in order to cut it.

Turquoise found in Arizona includes the following mines:

Blue Bird Turquoise, Bisbee Turquoise, Castle Dome Turquoise, Kingman Turquoise, Ithaca Peak Turquoise, Morenci Turquoise, and the famous Sleeping Beauty Turquoise.

Turquoise found in New Mexico includes the following mines:

Cerrillos, Enchantment, Hachita Turquoise Mine, High Lonesome Mine, The Johnny Bull Mine, Santa Rita, and Tyrone.

Turquoise found in Nevada includes the following mines:

Blue Diamond Turquoise, Blue Moon Turquoise, Carico Lake Turquoise, Damele Turquoise, Darling Darlene Turquoise, Dry Creek Turquoise, Easter Blue Turquoise, Fox Turquoise, Godber Turquoise, Number 8 Turquoise, Orvil Jack Turquoise, Pixie Turquoise, Red Mountain Turquoise, Royal Blue Mine, Royston Turquoise, Lander Blue Turquoise and Stennich Turquoise.

Though California Turquoise is rare to find, deposits of Turquoise has been mined in California commercially.  It has been found in San Bernardino, Imperial, and Inyo Counties in California.

Turquoise has also been found in several locations in Colorado; at the Kennecot-Bingham Turquoise Mine in Utah; and at the Bishop Mine, in Campbell Co., Virginia, which produces the world’s best and very rare crystallized turquoise.

Next month we will explore Jade! Thanks for reading.